Diabetes—Blood Sugar Testing

Blood sugar testing is important in order to find out if your blood sugar is where it should be. If your blood sugar is too low or too high, you may need a change in your diabetes medication, diet, or exercise plan. If a change is needed, your doctor or nurse will give you instruction on what you should do.

A blood test also can help you decide how to take care of your diabetes. For example, if you feel that your blood sugar is low, a test can tell you whether or not it is too low.

Your blood sugar level is found by testing a small drop of blood obtained from one of your fingers. This drop of blood is obtained by sticking your finger with a lancet. The drop of blood is then put on a strip that is placed in a meter to be read. There are many meters on the market today that will read a strip. You need to be sure that you can do the test the right way. Pick a meter that will be easy for you to use. Ask your nurse to help you pick a meter and then teach you how to use it.

Blood sugar is usually checked one to four times each day. Ask your doctor or nurse how often you should check your blood sugar. Testing is usually done before meal time.

Testing four times each day (before each meal and bedtime) is especially important:

• if you are taking insulin
• if you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant
• if you are ill or are recovering from an illness
• if you are having problems with low or high blood sugars

To Improve Diabetes Control

Here's what you can do:

• Ask your diabetes health care provider to help you pick the best testing method for you.

• Use your testing method correctly.

• Work with your diabetes doctor or nurse to determine a schedule for the times each day to check your sugar.

• Keep good records of your blood sugars and bring the records with you to your clinic visits. See attached sheet for record keeping.

Here's what your health care providers can do:

• Teach you how to test your blood sugar correctly.

• Help you determine the times of day to do the tests.

• Help you understand the blood sugar ranges that are correct for you. Ask your doctor the blood sugar ranges that are correct for you and record them here: _______ to _______.

• Review your blood sugar records with you and make changes in therapy as needed.

• Teach you how to make changes in diabetes medication, diet, or exercise to help improve your blood sugar control.

When To Call You should call your doctor or nurse if: Your blood sugar stays above 250 mg or above your specific blood sugar ranges given to you for more than 24 hours. You have low blood sugars four or more times per week. OR You have a blood sugar that is so low that someone else has to help you treat it. Disposal of Lancets Dispose of the lancets properly. It is recommended that lancets be disposed of in a container that is used only for that purpose. A coffee can or hard plastic bottle, such as an empty bleach or liquid detergent bottle, can be used. Do not use a container that will be returned to a store or recycled. Do not use glass or clear plastic containers. When the container is full, seal the lid with heavy-duty tape. Check with your local community waste disposal agency for the proper way to dispose of the container. Make sure that sharps are kept out of the reach of children.

See related Patient Textbooks about Internal Medicine.

See related Patient Topics Child and Teen Health, Diabetes, Endocrine System (Hormones), Endocrinology, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Immune System/AIDS, Internal Medicine, Juvenile Diabetes, Laboratory Tests, Procedures and Therapies or Seniors' Health.

See related Provider Textbooks about Internal Medicine.

See related Provider Topics Child and Teen Health, Diabetes, Endocrine System (Hormones), Endocrinology, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, Immune System/AIDS, Internal Medicine, Laboratory Tests, Procedures and Therapies or Seniors' Health.

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